Charlotte Tag

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, you’ve probably started thinking about how you want to celebrate. While this holiday is a great opportunity to share a great meal with family and friends, it can often mean hours of cooking and cleaning. What if there was another option?
For those of you who prefer to not spend the holiday working over a stove, we have good news. There are plenty of fantastic Charlotte restaurants that will be open on Thanksgiving this year. Most of them will be serving gorgeous prix-fixe menus, so you can sit back and relax and focus on spending time with your loved ones. We’ve gathered up some of our favorites below and no matter which one you choose., they’ll...

The woods and farmlands of the Carolinas are already the perfect setting for a farm getaway, but when you add the attractions of fall, things get even better. These include everything from you-pick pumpkin patches and wagon rides to corn mazes and even apple cider slushies.
We rounded up ten local farms and markets in and around Charlotte where you can join in the fun. From pumpkin lots in the heart of town to secluded family farms just a few minutes out, we think there’s a spot on this list that could become your new favorite family tradition!
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina
During last three weekends in October, Anne Springs Close Greenway transforms into a fall harvest paradise. Complete...

In conjunction with the creative and forward-thinking culture of Charlotte, the city’s craft coffee scene has taken off significantly in recent years. New coffee shops are popping up on a regular basis throughout the city, each dedicated to preserving this age-old artisan craft.
Let’s embark on a caffeinated tour of the best coffee shops in the Charlotte area, whether you prefer your coffee black or mixed with exotic flavors like lavender, rosemary and the like.
Enderly Coffee Co.
2620 Tuckaseegee Road
Enderly Coffee Co. is the result of the love story between former teachers Becky and Tony Santoro, who fell in love over coffee and relied on it to get them through their years as teachers and raising their daughters. We have seen...

Charlotte is undoubtedly a foodie haven! It seems like every month there is another acclaimed eatery opening its doors. Regardless of what you’re craving — Southern, Asian or hearty brunch cuisine — you’ll be able to find a restaurant that does it well in the area. But it’s barbecue that really put Charlotte on the food map in the first place.
North Carolina actually boasts two different styles of barbecue. Firstly, Lexington (sometimes referred to as Western) includes a red sauce seasoned with ketchup, pepper, vinegar and other spices doused over a hearty chunk of slow-roasted pork shoulder. Eastern, on the other hand, features every part of the pig, and the sauce is made with just vinegar and pepper to...

When it comes to fresh produce, baked goods, meat — well, any food really — there’s no debating that locally sourced products just taste better! And in the Charlotte area, there are more than a few options for shopping local. Our region boasts an abundance of farmers’ markets, each one serving as a gathering place for friends and neighbors, a fun weekend activity, and a one-stop shop for your weekly groceries.
Some markets focus solely on produce and baked goods from local vendors, but others offer clothing, flowers, art and more! You can even find international flavors and specialty items at almost all of the local markets — in short, all of the items you need to make your meals...

After a long week, nothing soothes the soul quite like brunch. This breakfast-meets-lunch feast allows you to enjoy perfectly poached eggs, fluffy biscuits, mimosas and more — all at the lazy hour of 11 am (or later). Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to catch up with friends and loved ones! Keep reading to see our picks for the top 12 best brunch locations in Charlotte.
Terrace
Facebook | Instagram | Brunch Menu
4625 Piedmont Row Drive, Suite 10 OR 14815 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite 150
Breakfast is served all day at Terrace — and thank goodness for that because we can’t get enough of it! The menu reflects Southern charm and influence, but each dish is scratch-made with high quality ingredients. There’s...

I grew up and spent the first third of my real estate career in Lancaster, Pa. During that time, I served on the local planning commission and proudly chaired it for many years.
Most folks who are familiar with the area know it as “Amish country,” with travel and tourism a major revenue source. So you can understand it was a balancing act to maintain the beauty and tranquility of the endless Amish farms while promoting growth and generating infrastructure to support retirees moving in from New York and New Jersey. For example, a developer would often trade two farms for one, if the one had sewer and water in place.
In-migration is a benchmark that all communities need to keep their...

I am a carnivore. I’m not proud of it. But I do love a good burger. And while Summertime is the right time to burn some ground beef on the George Foreman, I still prefer seeking out my burgers somewhere on-the-road in the Carolinas. Here are my 5 picks:

In Charlotte and Raleigh, I am a fan of Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar. Their Classic Southern Burger, topped with chili, American cheese, relish, mustard, and slaw, is a winner … but be sure to ask for plenty of napkins. I also enjoy the basic (and I mean basic) cheeseburger at O’Malley’s Pub in Raleigh. Basic…cheddar cheese…lettuce, tomato, pickle, mustard (no mayo) … and a side of onion rings. Oh, and a pint of Guinness. Perfection.

We all grew up with those words resonating out in the backyard. As grownups in the Sunbelt, especially the Piedmont Crescent Corridor, which is I-85 from the Triangle, Triad, Charlotte, and Upstate South Carolina regions, we all better be ready.

What I’m talking about is that we’d better be readying our sustainability plans when it comes to water, air, transportation, sewage and trash.

According to the US Census, Charlotte’s population grew by 19,600 from mid-2010 to mid-2011, ranking ninth in the country for gains. Both the Triangle Region and the Charlotte Region grew through all past recessions. Why? Cost of living being 93 percent of the national average is a huge plus. Cary, N.C. grew by 3.24 percent, Raleigh by 3.1 percent and Charlotte by 2.7 percent in one year. The incoming migration to the Carolinas is very diverse and bodes well for our future.

As usual, it has started off as a great season for concerts goers. My husband and I started our concert season with Van Halen at Time Warner Arena on April 25 – loud and awesome as usual. We were lucky to see them since the rest of their tour has been cancelled. That same week, we attended the Sugarlandconcert at Verizon Amphitheater and especially enjoyed the audience interaction. On May 17, we were back at Verizon withStyx, REO Speedwagon andTed Nugent, and bought Jimmy Buffet tickets while we were there.

The Carolinas have many great venues for concerts, with both indoor and outdoor. And there is certainly no shortage of North Carolina artists.

Albemarle native Kellie Pickler played Charlotte on April 20. The former American Idol contestant was raised by her grandparents and cites her grandfather as a major influence in her life. Her sixth place finish was a springboard for her career, which included her biggest hit “Best Days of Your Life,” which she co-wrote with Taylor Swift and reached No. 9 on the Billboard Charts. When I saw Kellie perform in Erie, Pa. about four years ago with Sugarland (yes, I’ve seen Sugarland four times), she was a very sincere and enjoyable performer.